Vis A Vis returns to festival

Dutch theatre company Vis a Vis are to return to Stockton International Riverside Festival with an action packed thriller, mixing comedy with the classic elements of film noir - murder, money and human greed.

Dutch theatre company Vis a Vis are to return to Stockton International Riverside Festival with an action packed thriller, mixing comedy with the classic elements of film noir - murder, money and human greed.

Picnic is a large-scale outdoor production that will leave festival audiences spell-bound as the company did in 1995 when they performed Central Park. From Tuesday (July 31) to Friday (August 3) at 9.30pm and on Saturday (August 4) at 10pm, Vis a Vis will be performing the visual comedy show on an open-air stage at Stockton's Riverside.

On the edge of a forest a couple are having a picnic when out of nowhere a man staggers onto the scene with a suitcase full of money in his hand and a knife in his back. The couple's life is changed forever and in the peace of the woodland, a riot is unleashed. The audience is treated to a twofold adventure - half the spectators watch Picnic while the other half watch the backstage show where a comedy of actors and technicians are making the show work. After the interval, the audience watch the part they have heard but not seen.

This is a rare chance to see the dynamic theatre style of Vis a Vis as their appearance at the Stockton International Riverside Festival is one of just four UK productions.

Artistic Director, Frank Wilson, of Event International said: "Vis a Vis' Central Park production at the festival in 1995 is fondly remembered by many festival-goers and Picnic is every bit as enjoyable.

"The fact that Stockton is one of a handful of venues for the UK tour, once again highlights the importance of our event in the international festival calendar."

Tickets for Picnic, which is supported by the Arts Council of England, are #5 and are available from ARC Box Office until one hour before the performance.